American Express® Gold Card Benefits, Rewards & Perks
The American Express® Gold Card offers Membership Rewards® points on everyday purchases along with dining, travel and other cardmember benefits. The card currently has a $325 annual fee, but several credits and rewards opportunities can provide value for cardmembers who regularly use them.
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American Express Gold Card Welcome Offer
One of the most significant benefits available to new Gold Card applicants is the potential welcome offer. American Express currently advertises an offer of as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after eligible applicants spend $8,000 within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Welcome offers vary, however, and American Express states that you may not be eligible for an offer. The application process allows you to find out your exact welcome offer before deciding whether to accept the Card.
For the complete breakdown of the current welcome offer and spending requirement, see: American Express Gold Card Sign Up Bonus: Up to 100,000 Points.
Earn Membership Rewards Points
The American Express Gold Card earns Membership Rewards® points on everyday purchases, with elevated rewards in several popular spending categories, including restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and eligible travel purchases.
The card offers higher earning rates in select categories, with additional points available on certain flights, hotels and other travel booked through American Express. Spending limits and other terms apply.
For a complete breakdown of the Gold Card's rewards rates and how the different earning categories work, see: American Express Gold Card Rewards.
American Express Gold Card Annual Fee
The American Express Gold Card currently has a $325 annual fee. Because the card also provides several statement credits and rewards opportunities, the value of the card depends in part on how much of those benefits you actually use.
For a closer look at the annual fee and how the card's benefits can offset some of the cost, see: American Express Gold Card Annual Fee.
Dining Benefits and Credits
The Gold Card includes several dining-related benefits. These include a potential $120 annual Dining Credit when the card is used for eligible purchases at participating merchants, with enrollment required.
The card also offers up to $100 in annual Resy statement credits on qualifying purchases at eligible U.S. Resy restaurants, subject to enrollment and the applicable terms.
For a detailed explanation of the Gold Card's dining benefits and credits, see: American Express Gold Card Dining Benefits.
Monthly Dunkin' Credit
Gold Cardmembers can receive up to $7 in monthly statement credits after eligible purchases at U.S. Dunkin' locations, for a potential total of up to $84 per year. Enrollment is required.
For more information about how this benefit works, see: American Express Gold Card Dunkin' Credit.
Uber Cash Benefits
The American Express Gold Card can provide up to $120 in Uber Cash annually. Cardmembers can receive $10 in Uber Cash each month when the Gold Card is added to an eligible Uber account and the applicable requirements are met.
For a complete explanation of this benefit, see: American Express Gold Card Uber Cash.
Travel Benefits
The Gold Card includes several travel-related benefits in addition to its Membership Rewards earning opportunities. Cardmembers can earn elevated rewards on eligible flights, prepaid hotel stays and other qualifying travel booked through American Express channels.
The card also includes benefits associated with The Hotel Collection and complimentary Hertz Five Star Status, subject to enrollment, availability and applicable terms.
The Gold Card also has no foreign transaction fees, making it useful for eligible purchases made outside the United States.
For a closer look at the card's travel benefits, see: American Express Gold Card Travel Benefits.
Pay It and Plan It
The Gold Card also includes Pay It® and Plan It® features. Pay It allows eligible small purchases to be paid through the American Express App, while Plan It can allow eligible purchases to be divided into equal monthly payments for a fixed fee.
These features give cardmembers additional ways to manage eligible purchases while continuing to earn rewards according to the card's terms.
American Express Gold Card Approval and Application
The Gold Card is generally intended for applicants with good to excellent credit. American Express's current application process allows applicants to find out whether they are approved and see their exact welcome offer before deciding whether to accept the Card.
For a more detailed look at approval expectations and the application process, see: American Express Gold Card Approval Odds.
American Express Gold Card Member Services
American Express provides 24/7 Member Services support for Gold Cardmembers. Assistance can include questions about statements, account issues and replacement of a lost Card.
Is the American Express Gold Card Worth It?
The American Express Gold Card can provide substantial value through Membership Rewards points and its collection of dining, travel and other statement credits. The $325 annual fee makes it important to consider how frequently you will actually use the benefits rather than simply looking at the total advertised value.
For someone who spends heavily in the card's bonus categories and can consistently use the available credits, the combination of rewards and benefits may provide significant ongoing value.
Apply for the American Express Gold Card
If the Gold Card's rewards and benefits fit your spending habits, you can apply online and find out whether you are approved and which welcome offer is available to you.
Final Thoughts
The American Express Gold Card combines Membership Rewards earning potential with a variety of dining, travel and statement-credit benefits. Its $325 annual fee means the card is likely to make the most sense for people who can regularly take advantage of the rewards and credits.
As we break down each individual benefit in greater detail, the articles linked throughout this guide can help you determine how specific Gold Card features work and whether they fit your spending and travel habits.
American Express® Gold Card
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide.§ *Eligible charges vary by property.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
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FICO® Credit Score Facts
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